Jwala Devi, Himachal Pradesh

Jwala Devi temple is one of the 51 Shaktipeeths of India and Jwala Ji Temple is one of the most worshipped Shakti Temples in India. This is the temple where Jwala Devi is not an idol but people Worshipping it by holy flame. It is positioned in the lap of the Shivalik range of Kangra Valley called “Kalidhar”. This is believed to be the first-ever temple built by the Pandavas. Jwala Ji is a Devi Temple Dedicated to the “GODDESS OF LIGHT”, located in Jawala Mukhi, district Kangra of Himachal Pradesh.

History

According to Shiv Puran, this temple is among 51 Shakti Peeths. Lord Vishnu divided the body into 51 parts utilizing his Sudarshan chakra. Out of those 51 parts, from which the ‘Tongue’ of Sati fell to this place.

It is believed that King Bhimichandra in Satyuga believed that the tongue of Devi Sati had fallen on the Dhauladhar range of Himalaya hill but he might not identify that place after a lot of hard work. After that, he made a temple of Devi Sati in Nagarkot in Kangra. After a couple of years, some people notified the King that they had seen a flame burning on a hill. King Bhumichandra came to that place and started worshipping there. He also constructed a temple at that place. 2 saints known as Pt. Shridhar and Pt. Kamlapati were believed to perform the puja at that place. It is believed that today priests of this temple are descendants of these 2 saints. It is also believed that the Pandavas of the Mahabharata period had worshipped at that place and also constructed the temple.

It is believed that centuries ago, a shepherd found that one of his cows was constantly without milk. He follows the cow to find the cause. He saw a girl coming out of the jungle who drank the cow’s milk and then vanished in a flash of light. The shepherd went to the king and told him the story. The king was alert to the legend that Sati’s tongue had fallen in this area. The king tried, without success, to find that sacred spot. Again, some years later, the shepherd went to the king to report that he had seen a flame burning in the peaks. The king found the spot and had a darshan (vision) of the holy flame. He built a temple there and organized for priests to engage in regular worship. It is believed that the Pandavas came later and rebuilt the temple. The folk song “Panjan Panjan Pandavan Tera Bhawan Banaya” bears confirmation of this belief. Raja Bhumi Chand first built the temple.

Story Of Akbar

Jawalamukhi has since times immemorial turned out to be a great pilgrimage center. The Mughal Emperor Akbar once tried to demolish the flames by coating them with an iron disk and even channeling water to them. But the flames fired all these efforts. Akbar then presented a golden parasol (chattar) at the shrine. However, his distrust of the power of Devi caused the gold to debase into another metal that is still unknown to the world. His belief in the deity was all the more strengthened after this happening. Thousands of pilgrims visit the shrine around the year to fulfill their spiritual desires.

Importance

For centuries, 9 flames have been burning naturally in the Jwala Devi temple. No oil or wick has been used to burn them. Another miracle is seen in Jwala Devi. There is a ‘Gorakh Dibbi’ near the temple. Here water is seen boiling in a pool, but when you dip your hands in it you will feel cool.

Architecture

The Temple structure is trendy with a gold dome, and peaks and has a stunning folding door of silver plates. There is a big brass bell in front of the main temple that was presented by the King of Nepal.

Idol – 9 flame

The spiritual flame of Devi can be seen in 9 various ways at Jwala Ji temple. The flames can sometimes turn into less or more. It is believed that Navdurga is the creator of 14 bhuvanas whose servants are Satwa, Rajas, and Tamas gunas. The flame burning in the front of the door in the silver aisle is the form of Mahakali. This flame is Brahma flame and is the bestower of Bhakti and Mukti. Entire flames are known as the following:

• The primary flame burning in the silver aisle is Mahakali, the provider of Bhakti and Mukti.
• Beside the primary flame is the Mahamaya Annapurna flame which provides the devotees in wonderful quantity.
• On the other side is the flame of Goddess Chandi, who is the destroyer of the opponents.
• The flame damaging all our sadness comes from Hingalaja Bhavani.
• The 5th flame is Vidhvashni which gets rid of all the unhappiness.
• The flame of Mahalakshmi, the bestower of wealth and success is located in Jyoti Kund.
• The bestower of knowledge, Goddess Saraswati also exists in the kund.
• Goddess Ambika, the bestower of kids, can also be seen here.
• Goddess Anjana, the bestower of age and all the joy is also present in this kunda.

Festivals

• The Jwalamukhi fair is held two times a year throughout the Navratri of Chaitra and Aswin. The devotees go round the ‘Jwala Kund’ in which the spiritual fire burns, making their offerings. The ‘Gorakh Tibbi’ a center of the Gorakhpanthi Naths is placed near the Jwala Kund. Folk dances, tunes, plays, battling sports, and matches are a few of the significant tourist attractions of the fair. The Jwalamukhi Temple in Kangra turns into the location for the huge fair.
• In April and October, the people of the region who consider that the jets of flammable gas coming from the volcano are really the spiritual fires coming out from the mouth of their Goddess, worship the Goddess of the Jwalamukhi volcano in the district of Kangra in Himachal Pradesh. People come along with red silken flags (Khwaja) to meet the Mother Goddess, ‘JwalaJi’. The fair is associated with the worship of that Infinite Flame which is appearing on earth spontaneously and constantly.

Nearby Attractions

• Nadaun ( 12 km )
• Panj Teerthi and Mahakaleshwar ( 9 kms and 28 kms via nadaun ).
• Haripur ( 45 km )
• Mangarh ( 37 kms )

Temples near Jwala Devi

• Mata Tara Devi Temple
• Mata Ashtabhuja Temple
• Shree Raghunath Ji Temple
• Nagini Mata Temple
• Arjun Naga Temple
• Chaumukha Temple
• Bagulamukhi temple

Fecilities

• Toilets and restrooms are there for people near the temple and also at various locations in the town.
• Parking centers at numerous locations.
• Inexpensive lodging and boarding in the Yatri Niwas built by the Temple Trust.
• Drinking-Water centers are there.
• A homeopathic clinic is there for travelers where cost-free medical check-ups and medications are provided

How to Reach

• By Air: Gaggal Airport is nearby Airport and it is around 50 km from the Temple.
• By Rail: The nearby railway station is Ranital Railway Station which is around 20 km from Jwala Devi Temple. 
• By Road: The Temple is well connected to roads so Frequent bus and taxi services are easily available.

Temple Timings

Darshan Timing

Summer Timing	5:00 AM TO 10:00 PM
Winter Timing	6:00 AM TO 9:00 PM

Aarti, Bhog and Pooja Timing

Aarti	Summer	Winter
Mangal Arti	5 AM-6 AM	6 AM-7 AM
Bhog Arti	11:30 AM To 12:30 PM	11:30 AM To 12:30 PM
Evening Arti	7 PM To 8 PM	6 PM To 7 PM
Shayan Arti	9:30 PM To 10 PM	8:30 PM To 9 PM

Temple Video and Images